History of Pensacola

Following the War Between the States, settlers flowed west, forming new towns and villages, and each settlement quickly sought to build a local system of commerce through the building of hotels, colleges, banks and special attractions. Business people soon discovered the obvious: combining forces in a voluntary business development "association" made good sense, and across the nation local "chambers of commerce" were formed.

On September 16, 1889, the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce came into being. The initial meeting was held in the seven-year old Opera House, where charter members elected railroad magnate William Dudley Chipley as the first chamber chairman. At this time, Pensacola had grown to a population of almost 10,000. The many lumbering interests were expanding rapidly and, as shipping grew, the waterfront spawned a host of companies dedicated to caring for the needs of vessels and crews. The city was served by one railroad running north to connect with the Louisville and Nashville system and the new road Colonel Chipley's forces had built between Pensacola and the Chattahoochee River. There was representation from the professions, including attorneys and physicians.

In 1900, Pensacola's port shipments were valued at almost $14.5 million, ten times those of Tampa, the second largest port in Florida. At this turn of the century, many new corporations were created here, including St. Anthony's Hospital, Baars, Dunwoody & Company, the Pensacola Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, the American National Bank, the Southern States Lumber Company and contractors such as J.H. Crona and C.H. Turner. The area's military establishment had also seen new activity, especially during the Spanish American War, when improvements were made to coastal defenses. The community's successful lobbying for military improvements following the April 1898 Declaration of War against Spain, suggest that the chamber had by then established a military affairs component, which would promote and defend that portion of the area's economy.

Five years into the 20th century, Pensacola was showing the positive impact of progress and its chamber of commerce. Population continued to climb, and the chamber's national and international workings had paid major commercial dividends, for in 1904, 267 steam and 147 sailing vessels called here, carrying a total of 658,000 tons of cargo and deposits of $2.8 million. By 1905, there had been new additions to chamber leadership, who interfaced with city and county leaders regularly. Those contacts proved important at this juncture, for chamber officials and members were working diligently to upgrade public facilities and services.

As part of its work, the chamber became part of the transition from navy yard to space age naval aviation and the community emerged from the era of clay streets to interstate highways. Relationships with all branches of government grew to great proportions, and the chamber would be credited with many of the elements of industrial growth, quality of life improvements, the evolution of downtown, the community's educational capabilities and the protection of business interests and rights.

The years that followed brought many changes.the institution of core values, chamber committee structures, the evolution of national trends, new emphasis on performance quality, broadening of member services, ongoing business development programs, educational reform and much more.

That once-tiny organization can now boast of national accreditation, a membership of more than 1,600 businesses, consisting of more than 50,000 individuals, and a staff of qualified professionals.

Has the chamber made a difference? We like to think so.

Information provided by the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. Need a relocation packet ($18.00)? Contact them at: